The following is a message forwarded from Pan-Canadian Cochrane Library Task Force.

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February 1, 2010

Canadian Cochrane Subscribers and Stakeholders:

The Cochrane national license pilot via Wiley will cease on February 1, 2010.

The Pan-Canadian Cochrane Library Task Force thanks you for your support. As a result of the pilot, compelling data has been gathered that provides a solid rationale for a national license.

The Cochrane pilot, which began April 2009, ran in parallel to the work of the Canadian Virtual Health Library (CVHL) Task Force. The Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) has recently approved multi-year funding of $800,000 to establish a Canadian Virtual Health Library. A key priority for the CVHL will be the development of a sustainable model for funding and supporting national access to The Cochrane Library on an ongoing basis. The ideas and input from Cochrane subscribers and stakeholders will be essential to the development of a successful strategy.

While work towards a permanent funding model continues, all existing subscribers should renew their own subscriptions for 2010. Your commitment and support has been critical in laying the foundation to move this important initiative ahead.

In order to communicate with Canadians about the end of the trial, Wiley will be creating a branded webpage in early February to which Canadians will be referred, offering a survey/feedback option, allowing them to sign-up for more information and for future email communications and the option to sign up for a free 6-month individual trial.

Background
The Canadian Health Libraries Association / Association des bibliothèques de la santé du Canada (CHLA/ABSC) and the Canadian Cochrane Centre (CCC) created a Task Force with representatives from CHLA/ABSC, CCC and key subscribers to develop the business case for pan-Canadian access to The Cochrane Library; to investigate funding for a national license for The Cochrane Library; and to position The Cochrane Library as a key component of the proposed Canadian Virtual Health Library (CVHL).

Questions and comments
Your continued support for national licensing The Cochrane Library is important to the success of the CVHL. A national Cochrane license will not only ensure comprehensive access to a key evidence-based health information resource. The pilot has also shown clearly the value and effectiveness of a collaborative network of libraries in ensuring access to a full range of information resources and services, accessible to all health knowledge workers. Questions and comments are welcome.

Please watch for further communications from the Canadian Virtual Health Library team.

Dianne Kharouba
pastpresident@chla-absc.ca
613-562-5418

The Pan-Canadian Cochrane Library Task Force
Dianne Kharouba, Chair, CHLA/ABSC Past President

The Task Force is a joint effort of The Canadian Cochrane Network and Centre and the Canadian Health Libraries Association / Association des bibliothèques de la santé du Canada.